Midweek Red Tide Update.
Red tide conditions continue to be limited and isolated to the north off Dixie and Pinelas counties.
An bloom of Karenia brevis, the Florida red tide organism, is ongoing in the northeast Gulf of Mexico.
Last week’s satellite images from the Optical Oceanography Laboratory at the University of South Florida showed a surface bloom extending between Dixie and Pinellas counties, approximately 5 to 30 miles offshore between Dixie and Pasco counties and 5 to 15 miles offshore of Pinellas County.
Recent satellite images have not been available due to cloud cover.
Samples analyzed by FWC this week show background to medium concentrations present in Cedar Key (Levy County). Fish kills and respiratory irritation were reported last week inshore at Honeymoon Island (Pinellas County) as well as offshore in the bloom area, however, neither effects have been reported along or inshore so far this week.
No red tide was detected alongshore or offshore of Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Collier, or Monroe counties.
A full status report will be provided this Friday, September 12, 2014.
